Kung Fu: Season 2

  

Based on: 1972 TV series of the same name created by Ed Spielman, Jerry Thorpe, and Herman Miller

Developed by: Christina M. Kim

Executive producers: David Madden, Martin Gero, Sarah Schechter, Christina M. Kim, Greg Berlanti, Robert Berens, Ed Spielman

Starring: Olivia Liang (Nicky), Kheng Hua Tan (Mei-Li), Eddie Liu (Henry), Shannon Dang (Althea), Jon Prasida (Ryan), Gavin Stenhouse (Evan), Vanessa Kai (Pei-Ling), Tony Chung (Dennis), Tzi Ma (Jin), Yvonne Chapman (Zhilan) 

I was a little self-aware (read: embarrassed) because my interest in this series was 100% based on interest in Asian culture and mysticism. 

When I saw the first trailer, I didn't feel like I had a great grasp on the story, but I saw a predominantly Asian cast and a beautiful Chinese monastery, and I was sold. I felt embarrassed because I wasn't sure whether the CW simply appropriating Asian visuals for surface diversity to attract attention and good PR while ignoring real issues or plot. I'm thankful to say this doesn't seem to have been the case. 

Nicky with her Sifu Pei-Ling during her years training in China; one of the images that drew me into the series

Season 1 was a great story of an estranged daughter returning to her family in San Francisco and then discovering and taking on her family's true warrior bloodline. The show tackles real issues like racism and generational disapproval, including faking success for a grandmother's arrival. 

Season 2 dives deeper into the mysticism by introducing a guardian bloodline alongside Nicky's warrior one and another estranged (or long-lost? Is there a difference?) cousin who is revealed to be a dangerous "hybrid" daughter of a guardian and warrior. This cousin, Mia (Vanessa Yao), is the focus of the season as she begins to discover who she is and takes on a goal of revenge for her mother's murder that Nicky tries to oppose and Zhilan tries to aid. 

Mia and Nicky

An ancient alchemist who is revealed (in a vision) to have created the warrior and guardian bloodlines

There's not much I want to say against this series. The only issue I had was one similar to another CW network series: a sensation of false stakes. The other series was DC's Naomi, which had a troubling premiere season and was not renewed. Kung Fu felt similar; it seemed to prepare for high stakes and scary drama, but it never felt very bad. To Kung Fu's credit, though, there were legitimate, life-threatening injuries, real deaths, and the fights did feel real. Character reactions felt a little forced though; I didn't feel that the actors portrayed quite the dread, horror, or shock that they tried to. 

Season 2's villains: Russel Tan (Kee Chan), a wealthy businessman who Mia is trying to murder, and his children, Juliette (Annie Q.) and Kerwin (Ludi Lin) Tan

Another minor issue I had was a season 1 finale tease that didn't seem to pay off. There was a magical essence (I forget its name) that gives warriors and guardians their power and gave Nicky minorly excess stamina that she gave up in the season 1 finale. In a closing scene in the finale, it was teased that this substance was leaking into nature around the world and cropping up as glowing flowers in San Francisco. However, this was never referenced at all in season 2. 

A third season has already been greenlit and the second's final moments showed Pei-Ling, Nicky's kung fu mentor who has been dead since the series began, walking into San Francisco. Seeing as the season 2 finale dealt with an alternate realm full of guardian and warrior spirits, it seems to follow that she escaped and is now alive again. That will make a fascinating third season plot!